The newly appointed Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued a statement emphasizing transparency, accountability, and efficiency as key priorities during their tenure.
While awaiting the Senate confirmation of Frank Bisignano as the next SSA Commissioner, the Acting Commissioner reaffirmed their commitment to protecting benefits and ensuring the agency operates with integrity.
Key Takeaways from the Acting Commissioner’s Statement
1. Commitment to Transparency
- The Acting Commissioner pledged openness and accountability, starting by inviting the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to review all agency activities.
- Their personnel and performance records have been made available to OIG for oversight.
2. Strict Adherence to the Law
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has been invited to monitor SSA’s operations, ensuring compliance with federal laws and regulations.
- This move underscores the agency’s commitment to lawful governance.
3. Role of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- DOGE, part of President Trump’s initiative to reduce fraud, waste, and inefficiencies, is assisting at SSA.
- The Acting Commissioner clarified what DOGE personnel can and cannot do:
- READ-only access to SSA systems (no changes to benefit payments or records).
- No access to court-ordered temporary restraining orders or related data.
- Subject to legal consequences if they violate regulations.
4. Ensuring Accurate Benefit Payments
- SSA’s top priority remains delivering benefits accurately and on time.
- The Acting Commissioner addressed recent reports regarding individuals over 100 years old allegedly receiving Social Security benefits.
- Many of these cases involve records lacking a documented date of death rather than fraudulent payments.
The Acting Commissioner’s statement reinforces SSA’s dedication to transparency, legal compliance, and efficiency. By collaborating with OIG, GAO, and DOGE, the agency aims to strengthen public trust while maintaining its mission to serve the American people.
With Frank Bisignano’s confirmation pending, SSA remains focused on ensuring benefits are distributed correctly and efficiently, while guarding against fraud and abuse.
